George R. Henderson
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral George Raymond Henderson (July 6, 1893-November 29, 1964) was a World War II
-era officer in the United States Navy
.
. He graduated from the University of Maine
in 1916 and was a member of the Theta Chi
fraternity.
/Aviation Machinist's Mate
at Syracuse, New York
. Landsman was a designation given to enlistees prior to boot camp during World War I
. The rank existed from 1838 to 1921. Upon entry he received ground school training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. In 1918 he received elementary flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola
, Florida and was designated Naval Aviator
HTA (Heavier-Than-Air) #909. Upon completion of advanced flight training he was commissioned as an Ensign
in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
On January 6, 1922 he was transferred to the regular Navy in the grade of Lieutenant
. After flight training he was assigned to Aircraft Squadrons Atlantic in June 1922. Here he set 10 world records for seaplane
performance at the Naval Air Show
in Bayshore Park, Maryland on October 25, 1924. In a PN-7 flying boat
equipped with two Wright T-2 engines, Henderson set four records for speed over 100 and 200 kilometers with loads of 250 and 500 kilograms, all at 78.507 m.p.h; and four records with a useful load of 1,000 kilograms with a speed of 78.507 m.p.h. for 100 and 200 kilometers, a distance record of 248.55 miles and a duration record of 5 hours, 28 minutes, 43 seconds. In November 1924 he was assigned as Chief Pilot of the Navy Test Board. He later established a world altitude record
of 22,178 feet for Class C-2 seaplanes with useful load on April 14, 1927. By late 1927 he served in VT Squadron 3, Aircraft Squadrons Scouting and in in December 1927.
of Patrol Wing FOUR and finished out he 1930s at the Office of Chief of Naval Operations
in June 1938.
and was serving as Executive Officer
when it was placed in commission on October 20, 1941. On April 18, 1942 Henderson was aboard Hornet when she participated in the Doolittle Raid
against military and industrial targets in the Japanese home islands. After his tour on Hornet he served a short stint as Chief of Staff and Air to Commander Patrol Wing Two in June 1942.
Promoted to Captain
, Henderson fitted out and commanded the new carrier which was commissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard in Camden, New Jersey
in February 1943. Following shakedown in the Caribbean
, she was reclassified CVL-23 on July 15, 1943. Princeton participated in the First and Second Rabaul Air Strikes, on November 5 and 11, 1943, severely damaging many enemy combatant ships in Rabaul harbor. By January 1944 Henderson was serving as Commander Aircraft, Munda and Commander Fleet Air Wing One. Here he developed a successful system of combined air and surface operations that annihilated a Japanese barge fleet in the Solomon Islands
and Bismarck Archipelago
, and severely damaged numerous shore installations. He also initiated the rescue of many downed aircraft crews, often in enemy waters and under heavy fire from enemy shore batteries.
In July 1944 Henderson was promoted to Rear Admiral
and took command of Carrier Division 28 with his flag in the escort carrier . Here he directed his ships and squadrons in vigorous aerial offensives against heavily defended enemy bases. Between September 1944 and early 1945 he successively participated in the Invasion of Palau, Battle of Leyte Gulf
, and Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
, planning and executing full air coverage of approaching and retiring convoys under extremely hazardous conditions, despite repeated attacks by hostile aircraft. At Leyte Gulf his forces departed the area at 1645 on October 24 and thus did not participate in the Battle off Samar
.
In February 1945 he took command of Carrier Division 25 with his flag in Saginaw Bay for the Invasion of Iwo Jima. In late March 1945 he moved his flag to the escort carrier for the Invasion of Okinawa. As the war was winding down in August 1945 Henderson was serving ashore again as Commander Fleet Air, Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
in May 1946. His next assignment was as Chief of Staff to Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic
and Mediterranean
in October 1947 and later served as the Deputy Commander in Chief of the same command in October 1948.
, Henderson was serving as Commander Fleet Air, Japan
with added duty as Commander Naval Air Bases, Japan. Here he was responsible for supplying logistic support
for operating squadrons, maintenance units, tenders and bases in the Japan-Korea area in an important contribution to the successful prosecution of the Korean Campaign. Assumed command of Carrier Division 5 in May 1951 and as Commander of Task Force 77 during operations in Korea from May to August 1951. With his flag in , his task force exerted relentless pressure against the enemy, provided effective close air support for ground troops, inflicted extensive damage upon the enemy by daring air strikes, and constantly interdicted their key communication systems. In October 1951 he served as Commander of Naval Air Bases, 11th & 12th Naval Districts headquartered (at the Lake Training Station in Lake Bluff, Illinois
.) in San Diego, California
and in May 1953 assumed additional duties as Commandant of the 11 Naval District.
on the basis of combat awards, after 37 years of Naval service in 3 wars. Among his awards were the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
, Legion of Merit
(6) with combat V’s, the Purple Heart
, and Presidential Unit Citation
. He died on November 29, 1964 at the age of 71.
Vice Admiral Henderson was one of two World War II naval aviator admirals to have gone from seaman to Admiral.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
-era officer in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Biography
Henderson was born in on July 6, 1893 in Pawtucket, Rhode IslandPawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
. He graduated from the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
in 1916 and was a member of the Theta Chi
Theta Chi
Theta Chi Fraternity is an international college fraternity. It was founded on April 10, 1856 as the Theta Chi Society, at Norwich University, Norwich, Vermont, U.S., and was the 21st of the 71 North-American Interfraternity Conference men's fraternities.-Founding and early years at Norwich:Theta...
fraternity.
Naval Aviator
On July 17, 1917 he entered the U.S. Naval Reserve Flying Corps as a LandsmanLandman (rank)
Landman was a military rank given to naval recruits.-United Kingdom:In the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom in the middle of the 18th century , the term Landman referred to a seaman with less than a year's experience at sea...
/Aviation Machinist's Mate
Aviation Machinist's Mate
Aviation Machinist's Mate is a United States Navy occupational rating.Aviation Machinist's Mates maintain aircraft engines and their related systems, including the induction, cooling, fuel, oil, compression, combustion, turbine, gas turbine compressor, exhaust and propeller systems; preflight...
at Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. Landsman was a designation given to enlistees prior to boot camp during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The rank existed from 1838 to 1921. Upon entry he received ground school training at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. In 1918 he received elementary flight training at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida and was designated Naval Aviator
Naval Aviator
A United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
HTA (Heavier-Than-Air) #909. Upon completion of advanced flight training he was commissioned as an Ensign
Ensign
An ensign is a national flag when used at sea, in vexillology, or a distinguishing token, emblem, or badge, such as a symbol of office in heraldry...
in the U.S. Naval Reserve.
On January 6, 1922 he was transferred to the regular Navy in the grade of Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
. After flight training he was assigned to Aircraft Squadrons Atlantic in June 1922. Here he set 10 world records for seaplane
Seaplane
A seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
performance at the Naval Air Show
Air show
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
in Bayshore Park, Maryland on October 25, 1924. In a PN-7 flying boat
Naval Aircraft Factory PN
The Naval Aircraft Factory PN was a series of open cockpit American flying boats of the 1920s and 1930s. A development of the Felixstowe F5L flying boat of the First World War, variants of the PN were built for the United States Navy by Douglas, Keystone Aircraft and Martin.-Development and...
equipped with two Wright T-2 engines, Henderson set four records for speed over 100 and 200 kilometers with loads of 250 and 500 kilograms, all at 78.507 m.p.h; and four records with a useful load of 1,000 kilograms with a speed of 78.507 m.p.h. for 100 and 200 kilometers, a distance record of 248.55 miles and a duration record of 5 hours, 28 minutes, 43 seconds. In November 1924 he was assigned as Chief Pilot of the Navy Test Board. He later established a world altitude record
Flight altitude record
These are the records set for going the highest in the atmosphere from the age of ballooning onward. Some records are certified by Fédération Aéronautique Internationale.-Fixed-wing aircraft:-Piston-driven propeller aeroplane:...
of 22,178 feet for Class C-2 seaplanes with useful load on April 14, 1927. By late 1927 he served in VT Squadron 3, Aircraft Squadrons Scouting and in in December 1927.
1930 to 1941
In 1930 Henderson served at the Bureau of Naval air (BuAir). He then reported to the in July 1932. The following year he was assigned as Engineer Officer on Staff of Commander Aircraft, Base Force in May 1933. In June 1935 he served at Naval Air Station Hampton Roads and then back to sea duty as Navigator of the aircraft tender in June 1937. He was soon assigned as Commanding OfficerCommanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
of Patrol Wing FOUR and finished out he 1930s at the Office of Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
in June 1938.
World War II
Prior to the commencement of World War II Henderson was fitting out the aircraft carrier at Newport News, VirginiaNewport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
and was serving as Executive Officer
Executive officer
An executive officer is generally a person responsible for running an organization, although the exact nature of the role varies depending on the organization.-Administrative law:...
when it was placed in commission on October 20, 1941. On April 18, 1942 Henderson was aboard Hornet when she participated in the Doolittle Raid
Doolittle Raid
The Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
against military and industrial targets in the Japanese home islands. After his tour on Hornet he served a short stint as Chief of Staff and Air to Commander Patrol Wing Two in June 1942.
Promoted to Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
, Henderson fitted out and commanded the new carrier which was commissioned at Philadelphia Navy Yard in Camden, New Jersey
Camden, New Jersey
The city of Camden is the county seat of Camden County, New Jersey. It is located across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 77,344...
in February 1943. Following shakedown in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, she was reclassified CVL-23 on July 15, 1943. Princeton participated in the First and Second Rabaul Air Strikes, on November 5 and 11, 1943, severely damaging many enemy combatant ships in Rabaul harbor. By January 1944 Henderson was serving as Commander Aircraft, Munda and Commander Fleet Air Wing One. Here he developed a successful system of combined air and surface operations that annihilated a Japanese barge fleet in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
and Bismarck Archipelago
Bismarck Archipelago
The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and is part of the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea.-History:...
, and severely damaged numerous shore installations. He also initiated the rescue of many downed aircraft crews, often in enemy waters and under heavy fire from enemy shore batteries.
In July 1944 Henderson was promoted to Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
and took command of Carrier Division 28 with his flag in the escort carrier . Here he directed his ships and squadrons in vigorous aerial offensives against heavily defended enemy bases. Between September 1944 and early 1945 he successively participated in the Invasion of Palau, Battle of Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
, and Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
Invasion of Lingayen Gulf
The Liberation of Lingayen Gulf was an Allied amphibious operation in the Philippines during World War II. In the early morning of 9 January 1945, an Allied force commanded by Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf began approaching the shores of Lingayen. U.S...
, planning and executing full air coverage of approaching and retiring convoys under extremely hazardous conditions, despite repeated attacks by hostile aircraft. At Leyte Gulf his forces departed the area at 1645 on October 24 and thus did not participate in the Battle off Samar
Battle off Samar
The Battle off Samar was the centermost action of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history, which took place in the Philippine Sea off Samar Island, in the Philippines on 25 October 1944...
.
In February 1945 he took command of Carrier Division 25 with his flag in Saginaw Bay for the Invasion of Iwo Jima. In late March 1945 he moved his flag to the escort carrier for the Invasion of Okinawa. As the war was winding down in August 1945 Henderson was serving ashore again as Commander Fleet Air, Quonset Point, Rhode Island.
Post war
After the war Henderson served as Commandant of Naval Operating Base, BermudaBermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
in May 1946. His next assignment was as Chief of Staff to Commander U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
in October 1947 and later served as the Deputy Commander in Chief of the same command in October 1948.
Korean War
In August 1950 shortly after the start of the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, Henderson was serving as Commander Fleet Air, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
with added duty as Commander Naval Air Bases, Japan. Here he was responsible for supplying logistic support
Logistics
Logistics is the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of destination in order to meet the requirements of customers or corporations. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging, and...
for operating squadrons, maintenance units, tenders and bases in the Japan-Korea area in an important contribution to the successful prosecution of the Korean Campaign. Assumed command of Carrier Division 5 in May 1951 and as Commander of Task Force 77 during operations in Korea from May to August 1951. With his flag in , his task force exerted relentless pressure against the enemy, provided effective close air support for ground troops, inflicted extensive damage upon the enemy by daring air strikes, and constantly interdicted their key communication systems. In October 1951 he served as Commander of Naval Air Bases, 11th & 12th Naval Districts headquartered (at the Lake Training Station in Lake Bluff, Illinois
Lake Bluff, Illinois
Lake Bluff is a village in Lake County, Illinois. It is the closest moderate-sized town near the Great Lakes Navy Base and is North of Lake Forest. The population is 6,056 according to the 2000 census. The town has a police department and volunteer fire department.-History:In 1836, John and...
.) in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
and in May 1953 assumed additional duties as Commandant of the 11 Naval District.
Retirement and death
Henderson transferred to the Retired List of the Navy on August 1, 1954 as a Rear Admiral, designator 1313. He was advanced to rank of Vice AdmiralVice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
on the basis of combat awards, after 37 years of Naval service in 3 wars. Among his awards were the Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The Navy Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps which was first created in 1919. The decoration is the Navy and Marine Corps equivalent to the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, and the Coast...
, Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(6) with combat V’s, the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy...
. He died on November 29, 1964 at the age of 71.
Vice Admiral Henderson was one of two World War II naval aviator admirals to have gone from seaman to Admiral.
External links
- The Battle Off Samar - Taffy III at Leyte Gulf by Robert Jon Cox